QBE announces new ANZ CEO | Insurance Business

QBE has announced that Vivek Bhatia has been appointed CEO of the Australian and New Zealand operations of the firm.

The move follows an “extensive global search” QBE said in a statement as Bhatia joins the business from icare where he served as CEO and managing director.

Bhatia played a crucial role in the formation of icare in 2014 and prior to this was co-leader of the Asia Pacific Restructuring and transformation practice at McKinsey & Company as well as CEO of Australian underwriting operations at Wesfarmers Insurance.

Bhatia will report directly to QBE Group CEO, Pat Regan, who praised the experience Bhatia brings to the role.

“He brings a wealth of experience across the insurance and management consulting sectors with a track record in large scale business and cultural transformation,” Regan said.

“He reflects QBE’s passion for building customer and employee satisfaction and is well credentialed to leverage the strong platform in the Australia and New Zealand business.”

Bhatia steps into the role once held by Regan, and currently held on an interim basis by Inder Singh, CFO of QBE Australia and New Zealand.

Singh will return to his CFO responsibilities and support Bhatia during his transition to the role of CEO.

Bhatia is expected to join QBE in the first quarter of 2018 and will be based in Sydney.